Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh:

Tá mé sásta tabhairt faoin a oiread agus is féidir liom. The artists scheme in the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is scheduled to be reviewed after a year. We will begin to look at that issue. I do not have the numbers with me, but we can come back to the committee to see how the scheme is operating. We do not believe a huge number of artists are availing of the scheme which is focused on visual artists and writers, but that matter needs more consideration.

The percent for art scheme has been very successful. I suspect that one of the things that happened in that regard was that artists lost out hugely when capital investment in the State generally collapsed, but it is beginning to ramp up again. The Minister very recently committed to considering the scheme which needs to be refreshed. We will work with the Arts Council in that regard. Most public sector organisations still utilise it, but a couple of gaps are emerging.

I dtaca le cúrsaí Gaeilge, táimid sa Roinn tiomanta don Ghaeilge freisin. Is é seo Bliain na Gaeilge chomh maith. We are going to integrate bliain na Gaeilge and the Creative Ireland programme a oiread agus is féidir linn. On the small amount we give in support to local authorities to help to develop their Creative Ireland programmes through the cultural teams, we will be asking them to ensure they make provision for events as part of Bliain na Gaeilge. It is of great benefit because it involves the Gaeltacht and cultural sections of the Department working very closely together. We are happy to try to deepen that relationship as much as we can. Sílim gur sin an méid ar mo thaobh.